In this episode (15:25)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk the difference between OVERUSE and MISUSE and dive deeper into what your instructor may mean when using these terms.

You Will Learn

• Why instructors (including us!) should be careful with terminology.
• Why “overuse” may be misuse in disguise.
• Why it’s problematic to have one cue for a wide range of responses.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 63: A Newcomer’s Guide to Handling Systems
• Episode 30: Analyzing Mistakes and a Look at Systems

In this episode (29:45)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk how having goals for trialing, beyond ribbons and titles, can help you improve your dog agility performance.

You Will Learn

• How being clear on your trialing goals can save you time and money.
• What Jennifer and Esteban do with their ribbons.
• How your goals can shift through a dog’s career.
• How you can structure your goals leading to big events.

Mentioned/Related

• Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

In this episode (33:17)

In this podcast, Sarah, Jennifer and Esteban talk about “playing it safe” when you’re running an agility course. When should you play it safe? What are the pros and cons of playing it safe?

You Will Learn

• What it means to “play it safe”.
• When handlers should or should not play it safe.
• Why Esteban changed his approach in recent years.
• How Jennifer changed her approach over the years.
• How to determine what is best for you and your dog.

Mentioned

• 2014 AKC NAC Round 1 Wrap Choice – Pace vs Gitchi
• Episode 182: Choose Your Own Agility Adventure

n this episode (25:29)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban discuss the evolution of how people manage their dogs during classes—when it’s NOT their turn.

You Will Learn

• Different strategies for managing your dog, including a leash, cot/bed, or crate.
• Pros and cons of each strategy.
• What the BDA team prefers to use when training alone vs in a class or seminar.

Mentioned

• Episode 1: Using a Crate During Training

In this episode (35:33)

In this podcast, the BDA crew share how the sport shapes their fashion choices on course!

You Will Learn

• Why Jennifer never wears sunglasses.
• How people with long hair might benefit from a ponytail.
• How your clothing choices may affect your dog’s performance.

In this episode (34:06)

In this podcast Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban answer your question “When do most people move their dog to preferred/performance/select for the lower jump height?”

You Will Learn

• The most common reasons people move their dogs to a lower height class.
• How your dog may benefit from jumping a lower height.
• Factors to consider as your dog ages.

Mentioned

• Jennifer Crank and Bee Place in all Four Rounds at the AKC European Open Team Tryouts
• Sarah Baker’s Online Course: Agility Foundation for Puppies and Young Dogs (featuring 2022 EO Team Member Skeptic)
• ETO –> Early Take Off

In this episode (30:26)

In this episode, Sarah and Esteban discuss the timing of verbal cues.

You Will Learn

• Whether or not you need verbal cues.
• Why it’s important to know how verbal your dog really is.
• When to give verbal cues.
• Common mistakes people make when using verbal cues.

Mentioned

• Episode 76: Verbal Cues in Dog Agility
• The 20 Foot Trap
• How Committed Are You?
• Episode 187: Physical and Mental Commitment

In this episode (54:21)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah and Esteban talk with Kathy Keats about dogs, sport, and life.

You Will Learn

• Why mindset is important for beginners.
• How handlers can improve their mindset.
• What it means to be “in the zone”.
• Why handlers underperform at big events.
• How to separate your agility results from your self-worth.

Mentioned/Related

• The Kathy Keats Show (Podcast)
• Kathy Keats’ Website
• Episode 159: Handler Muscle Memory for Dog Agility

In this episode (17:30)

In this episode, Jennifer, Sarah, and Esteban explain how they use back-chaining and forward-chaining to help dogs learn more quickly.

You Will Learn

• What back-chaining is and when to use it.
• What forward-chaining is and when to use it.
• Which technique is more favored by Bad Dog Agility instructors.

Mentioned

• A Quick Training Tip for Improving 2 On 2 Off Contact Performance

In this episode (19:40)

In this episode, the BDA coaches give handlers advice on what to do when things start off poorly at a trial that’s very important to them.

You Will Learn

• How the format of the event impacts handler psychology.
• Jennifer’s 3 step plan for dealing with early disappointment.
• Esteban’s key tip for moving on after a bad run.